Latest News
Understanding the data behind battery trading: In conversation with Circunomics CEO Felix Wagner
Battery volumes are growing. So is the number of companies trying to buy, sell, and finance them, with no reliable way to assess what a battery is worth. Felix Wagner built Circunomics to solve that. Ahead of MOVE London 2026, he spoke with MOVEmnt about the state of battery trading, what it takes to make transactions work, and why batteries need to become a proper asset class.
Uber and Autobrains partner to develop robotaxi programme in Munich
Uber has made its autonomous directive clear in recent months following the announcement of several autonomous vehicle partnerships, including a $1.25 billion robotaxi collaboration with Rivian Motors.
The major ride-hailing platform’s latest autonomous team-up is with Israeli AI company Autobrains Technologies. Through a strategic collaboration, the two companies hope to strengthen Uber’s foothold in the European autonomous vehicle market, with plans to launch an autonomous pilot programme in the German city of Munich.
BYD accelerates its self-driving vision with first in-house autonomous chip
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has introduced a new autonomous-driving semiconductor as it angles to gain a deeper foothold in the advanced vehicle technology space. The move comes amid intensifying competition in the EV market.
During a technology showcase in Shenzhen, the automaker revealed the Xuanji A3, a 4-nanometer chip developed to power next-generation intelligent driving systems. According to the company, the processor is already being manufactured at scale and is engineered to support both Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous capabilities.
Ferrari unveils hotly anticipated first electric car, the Luce
Italian sportscar brand Ferrari has announced the arrival of its first fully electric car, the Luce, retailing for $640,000 or £474,320.
As luxury automakers Lamborghini and Porsche scale back their EV strategies, citing low demand, Ferrari is ploughing ahead with its electric vision, offering a futuristic five-seater in vibrant hues.
The MOVEmnt Podcast Episode 4: Mark Tapscott
Our guest this week is Mark Tapscott, Co-Founder of British automotive start-up Longbow. A pioneer in electrification, Tesla alumnus and a self-confessed ‘car guy’, Mark joins us on The MOVEmnt Podcast to discuss Longbow’s commitment to electrification and feather-weight EV design.
Mark and the Longbow team are on a mission to restore some of the theatre and emotion of the classic British sports car to the electric segment, focusing on light-weighting and the driver experience in a market that too often overlooks the joy of driving
Speakers in the news: Meet the companies making headlines ahead of MOVE 2026
The world’s #1 auto tech event is returning to London, June 17–18. MOVE focuses on the technology that sits behind the automotive sector, specialising in autonomous, electric and software-defined mobility. MOVE is all about showcasing the leading agents of innovation and progress, from automotive OEMs, fleets, CPOs, transport operators, investors, start-ups and battery manufacturers, across 15 conference stages. Existing in a fast-paced and dynamic sector, industry change is an expectation rather than an anomaly when it comes to automotive and tech. To help you keep abreast of the latest developments, we have put together a shortlist of current news updates from some of the biggest disruptors speaking at the event this year.
UK new car market grows by almost a quarter in best April since pre-pandemic levels
The UK’s new car market registered unprecedented growth last month, expanding by almost a quarter, up 24%.
According to new data from the SMMT (the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), the UK recorded 149,247 vehicles in April, the strongest growth in the sector since before the pandemic.
WeRide and Lenovo announce expanded partnership to deliver 200,000 autonomous vehicles by 2031
Announced at Auto China 2026, Chinese tech firms WeRide and Lenovo have revealed an expanded partnership to develop 200,000 autonomous vehicles over the next five years. Of these 200,000 vehicles, many will be robotaxis operating at Level 4 autonomous capability, or “driver-out.”
Based in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, WeRide has already been a leader in China’s autonomous push, with established R&D and pilot projects in 40 cities across 12 countries globally.
The world’s #1 auto tech event is back…what’s new for MOVE 2026?
We are back for our eighth edition… so what’s new for MOVE 2026?
This year’s agenda brings together 250+ speakers, 75+ sponsors and 75+ start-ups for two days of dynamic discussion. From an exciting refocus, to a wave of influential new speakers, expect some big changes at our 2026 event. So what’s new this year?
Lotus joins luxury automakers pivoting to hybrids, forecasting “long-term trend”
The luxury automotive segment has long struggled to decouple itself from petrol. In 2026 alone, several major automakers walked back their EV targets or revised their electrification timelines: Lamborghini axed plans for its fully electric model, Lanzador, whilst Rolls-Royce pledged to continue selling petrol vehicles beyond 2030.
In an interview with the Financial Times, chief executive of Lotus Group, Qingfeng Feng, said that EVs would account for under half of their entire lineup—the rest coming from hybrids. This is a much more conservative estimate than previously predicted by the company, now owned by Chinese conglomerate Geely, which had banked on a lineup of 90% EV sales by 2028.
Tesla grapples with self-driving shortfall, promising “micro factory” upgrade plan
Tesla has found itself in hot water again as it recalibrates its long-promised path to full autonomy. The electric vehicle giant recently acknowledged that millions of its older cars, equipped with what it calls Hardware 3, won’t be able to achieve fully self-driving capability, despite earlier assurances.
The statement marks a notable shift for Tesla, which had long maintained that its earlier vehicles already contained the necessary cameras and computing power pending the inevitable software advancements.
Rivian begins production of first mass-market EV, the R2
Rivian Motors has officially begun customer production of the long-awaited R2, its mid-size all-electric SUV. Originally revealed in March 2024, it has taken two years and reportedly “thousands of hands” before the first R2 rolled off the production line yesterday at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois plant.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the company was “on track” to deliver the first of its five-seater EVs later this spring.
Uber partners with Rivian in $1.25bn robotaxi deal, promising 50,000 vehicles by 2031
Uber is forging ahead with its vision for a driverless future through a new partnership with American EV maker Rivian Motors.
The agreement outlines plans for Uber to invest an initial $300mn, potentially rising to $1.25bn by 2031, contingent on Rivian hitting key autonomy milestones. Alongside the investment, Uber intends to purchase up to 50,000 autonomous vehicles, beginning with 10,000 robotaxi-ready versions of Rivian’s upcoming R2 SUV. The remaining 40,000 could follow from 2030.
Einride paves the way for autonomous “smart corridors” in Texas
Founded in 2016, autonomous trucking company Einride is forging ahead with a partnership with the State Highway 130 corridor, a major toll road in Texas. This strategic collaboration aims to build out a smart freight corridor between Austin and San Antonio, operating as a testbed for Einride’s cab-less autonomous freight vehicles.
The project will represent the first time an autonomous truck company has partnered with a toll road operator to deliver this kind of service. Einride’s vision includes plans to build out Texas’ EV infrastructure through the co-development of next-generation rest stops with electric charging facilities and autonomous truck docking infrastructure.
Hyundai and Kia deepen strategic partnership with leading chipmaker NVIDIA
On Tuesday, Hyundai Motor Group announced it is accelerating its advancements in the autonomous mobility space by deepening its collaboration with world-leading chipmaker NVIDIA. This partnership represents a wider shift in the industry, as automakers are increasingly turning to the tech world to accelerate the development of autonomous and software-defined vehicles through partnerships with chipmakers, AI firms, and software companies.
Hyundai Motor Group, made up of Hyundai Motor and Kia, has positioned this strengthened partnership as a means to drive forward progress on its Level 4 all-electric robotaxis through its joint self-driving venture, Motional.
The design vs safety dilemma: Why carmakers are embracing buttons over touchscreens
As automakers seek to maximise the sleek, futuristic look of new models, the market has seen a sharp increase in the number of vehicles minimising bulky handles and buttons in favour of digital screens and concealed, automated handles.
Whilst these design features may offer the forward-looking glamour that elevates the in-car experience, concerns over safety have seen automakers retreating back to intuitive design features, including tactile buttons and manual handles.
Elon Musk’s Tesla approved to enter UK energy market amid security concerns
The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, could soon have sway over the UK’s private energy sector after its subsidiary, Tesla Energy Ventures, received approval to operate as an electricity supplier in the United Kingdom. The licence, granted by the UK energy regulator, clears the path for the company to enter a market that has faced turbulence in recent years and rising concern among households over an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Industry experts herald 2026 as “pivotal year” for UK autonomy at CAM Innovators’ Day
Industry experts gathered at the IET in London yesterday to discuss the key obstacles and scalable, practical use cases of autonomy within the UK.
The annual CAM Innovators’ Day, hosted by Zenzic, brought together some of the industry experts driving innovation in autonomy and connected mobility. Among those attending were representatives from government, industry leaders, scale-ups and key stakeholder groups, with speakers from Google, Waymo and several autonomous startups, including Oxford-based group Oxa.
China’s NIO turns a tidy profit on EV strategy after 2025 record sales
Chinese electric-vehicle maker NIO reported its first quarterly net profit in the final months of 2025, representing a significant milestone for the Shanghai-based company. The result places the automaker among a small but growing group of profitable EV manufacturers in China, the world’s largest EV market, alongside emerging rivals XPeng and Li Auto.
The accolade was fuelled by surging vehicle demand and stronger margins, following a year that began with slower-than-expected sales growth. The company’s upwards trajectory was sparked by the launch of the company’s redesigned premium SUV, the NIO ES8, which quickly became a major contributor to sales.
Introducing MOVE 2026’s Women in Mobility Awards
In honour of International Women’s Day, we are relaunching our annual Women in Mobility Award, recognising the inspiring women driving innovations in auto tech through their leadership and expertise.
After receiving hundreds of nominations for the MOVE 2025 Women in Mobility Award last year, we have brought it back this year to give more of the industry’s ever-growing female talent the chance to win the 2026 title.
BYD launches improved Blade battery with faster charging time to outstrip competitors
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has introduced a major update to its signature Blade battery technology, marking the first significant upgrade to the system in six years. The company hopes faster charging speeds and longer driving ranges will help them outstrip its rivals in China’s intensely competitive EV market.
EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act could bring UK and Japan into ‘Made in Europe’ scheme
The EU’s “Made in Europe” content laws are set to undergo an expansion, with countries like the UK and Japan included within Brussels’ manufacturing targets.
The European Commission said these adjustments would protect European manufacturers, and now those of allied nations, from ferocious Chinese competition.
Firefighters and factory workers: Meet the intelligent robots at the forefront of the AI revolution
As corporations begin to embed AI into the ways they process data, make sales, and draft communications, many companies are also looking for ways to automate and implement AI in manufacturing processes, on factory floors, and to perform difficult or dangerous tasks that humans may not want or cannot do.
Automotive manufacturers are among the companies leading the charge in the physical AI space. Read more to find out how.
Geely surpasses BYD in EV sales for second consecutive month
As the Chinese government winds down its EV incentives, China’s fiercely competitive EV market is showing signs of slowing down. EV sales in China fell for the first time in almost two years last month, the first time since February 2024.
In the midst of this downturn, Chinese EV maker Geely has emerged as a clear frontrunner, surpassing BYD’s sales for the second month in a row. This two month lead comes just months after BYD was announced as the global-leader in EV sales for 2025, beating historical rival Tesla.
Stellantis explores Leapmotor’s EV technology to cut costs and boost European sales
Multinational automotive manufacturer Stellantis announced it is exploring the use of electric-vehicle technology from its Chinese partner Leapmotor as it looks for ways to cut costs and stay competitive in Europe.
The legacy automaker, headquartered in the Netherlands, is considering expanding the scope of its joint venture to gain deeper access to Leapmotor’s battery systems and EV powertrain expertise, particularly for high-volume brands such as Fiat, Opel and Peugeot.
Wayve secures $1.2 billion in investment to scale “generalisable” self-driving tech
Autonomous driving company Wayve, founded in 2017, has officially raised $1.2 billion in funding following a successful Series D investment round. This new development accelerates Wayve’s post-money valuation to $8.6 billion, making it one of the UK’s most valuable AI startups.
The investment round was backed by investors including Microsoft, world-leading chipmaker Nvidia, ride-hail provider Uber, and automakers including Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis.
Lamborghini abandons plans for “Lanzador” EV supercar and bets on hybrids
In a radical reversal of its sustainability strategy, Lamborghini has announced that it is ditching plans to launch its first electric supercar. The Italian automaker is instead betting on hybrid vehicles following a slump in global EV sales that has seen companies like GM and Stellantis roll back their ambitious EV targets.
Lamborghini first announced plans to launch an electric supercar, the Lanzador, back in 2023, but since then the global EV landscape has shifted.
Hyundai joins the physical AI race, promising humanoid robots and autonomous mobility
A year ago, Hyundai Motor Company appeared to be trailing behind its rivals in the race to fuse artificial intelligence with the automobile. While competitors such as Tesla and BYD showcased advances in humanoid robotics and autonomous driving, Hyundai’s leadership openly acknowledged it had been slow off the starting line.
At the Consumer Electronics Show, earlier this year, Hyundai demonstrated that the tides were beginning to turn, exhibiting an ambitious physical AI project, Atlas—a humanoid robot developed by its US subsidiary Boston Dynamics.
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